Motor-starter or electric-circuit controller.



I G. G. THOMPSON. MOTOR STARTER 0E ELECTRIC GIRGUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.31,1910.

Patented May 16, 1911.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

anil ne mes attozwu l 9. 9. THOMPSON. MOTOR STARTER 0R ELECTRIC GIRGUITCONTROLLER.

APPLIUATTON FILED DEC. 31, 1910.

Patented May 16, 1911.

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G. THOMPSON. MOTOR STARTER 0R ELECTRIC 0111mm? CONTROLLER.

' APPLICATION FILED DEC. 31. 1910. 992,294, Patented May-16,1911

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U ITED-entries PATENT o -F cE.

GEORGE G. THOMPSON, OF MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR '10 AMERICANELECTRIC FUSE COMPANY, OF MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN.

MOTOR-STARTER R ELECTRIC-CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE G. THOMPSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Muskegon, Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Motor- Starters or Electric-Circuit Controllers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in motor starters or electriccircuit controllers.

The main object of this invention is to provide animproved motor starteror electric circuit controller which is very simple and economical instructure, very durable and one'whi ch is not likely to get out of re:

pair in use.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, willdefinitely appear from the, detailed description to follow.

. I accomplish the objects of my invention following specification.

Theg'invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is apreferred embodiment of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming 'a part of thisinvention, in which:

Figure I is a front view of a motor starter embodying the features of myinvention. Fig. II is a side view looking from the right of Fig. I,parts being in section and other parts broken away to better show thestructural details, the section parts being on a central longitudinalline. Fig. III is an inside view, partially in section, on a linecorresponding to line 33 of Fig. II, parts being broken away to bettershow structural details. Fig. IV is an enlarged detail, partially insection, on a. line corresponding to line 4: l of Fig. III. Fig. V is adiagranr.

Specification of Letters Patent.

by the devices and means described in the Patented May 16, 1911.

Application filed December 31, 1910. Serial No. 600,308.

of insulating material, as the necessity of otherwise. insulating theparts mounted thereon is avoided. Terminal couplings 5, 6 and 7, for theline shunt field and controlled circuit wires, are mounted on the topplate, as shown in Fig. I. The control lever 8 is mounted on the bearingplate 9, the shaft 10 for the lever being arranged through the plate 3.The plate 9 is electrically connected to the line circuit terminal 5, asby means of the strap-11.

The structure illustrated is provided with a pair of resistanceelements, comprising resistance medium disks '12 and tubular containers13 therefor. These containers are formed of'quartz, porcelain, lava orany fictilematerial' having high heatresisting and insulatingqualities.I prefer, however, a special form of porcelain having high heatresisting qualities. These containers are rigidly supported by means ofthe brackets 14:, having cylindrical studs 15 projecting into the innerends of the containers, as shown in Fig. III, the inner ends of thecontainers being shouldered against the brackets. supported 'by ayoke-like bar 16, which is mounted on the bolts 17 depending from thesupporting plate 3. These bolts are also preferably adapted to securethe plate 9, the bolts being provided with] plate clamping nuts 18 andwith bar supporting nuts 19. The brackets 14 are supported by bolts 20and 21, arranged through the supporting plate. The bolt 20 isals'oadapted to secure the starting plate 22 and to form an electricalconnection for the starting plate to the bracket, and through" it to theresistance medium.

The lever 8 is provided with a contact spring 23, which coacts withthe'starting plate andwith the/bolt 21, which is adapted to serve as alever contact member for the controlled circuit, it being electricallyconnected by the strap 2-1 to the controller circuit terminal coupling 7A magnet 25 for retaining the lever in its closed or on position is provided. This magnet is commonly designated in' structures of this type asa voltage release magnet. The lever 8 is provided with an armature 26.The magnet 25 is electrically connected as through the strap 27 to thestarting plate 22, and also The outer ends of the containers are to theshunt field circuit terminal (3, as clearlyappears in Fig. I. The lever,in its open or off position, rests against the stop 28. The lever isreturned to its open or off position by means of the coiled spring 29,whichis wound about the shaft 10 of the lever, one end being connectedto the supporting plate 8, and the other to the lever, as clearlyappears in Fig. IV. When the lever is released by the deenergizing ofthe magnet 25, this spring carries it back to its off position. Thespring may be omitted and the device supported with the left hand sideof Fig. I downward, so that the weight of the lever returns it to itsoff position. This lever 8 is also adapted to apply pressure to theresistance medium disks, the connections consisting of the equalizer bar30, having contact ends 31 projecting into the containers to engage theouter disksitherein. The bar, in the structure illustrated, is adapted tserve as an electrical connection for the two resistance elements, thusconnecting them in series.

A link 32 is eccentrically connected to the lever, which is providedwith a crank pin 38. The link is slidably arranged through the equalizerbar pivot member 3 1. On the outer end of the link is a spring 35, oneend of the spring engaging the pivot member and its outer end restingagainst the retaining nut 36. IVhen the lever is shifted to its onposition, the equalizer bar is lifted to compress the resistance medium,gradually cutting out the resistance as the resistance medium iscompressed.

When the lever contact member 23 engages with the starting plate, thecurrent flows from the line circuit through the lever, the startingplate, the first resistance element, the equalizer bar and the secondresistance element to the controlled circuit, the

resistance being gradually cut out or reduced as the resistance mediumis compressed. Vhen the lever is in its completely closed or onposition, it engages the contact member 21, and the current flowsdirectly through the lever and this contact member to the controlledcircuit, the shunt current flowing through the magnet, the startingplate and the resistance elements. In the event of a cessation of thecurrent, the magnet 25 is decnergized and the lever opens, and thecurrent is entirely cut off until the starter is again operated.

The containers 13 are preferably formed of porcelain, as stated, onaccount of the insulating and heat resisting qualities thereof, and onaccount of the economy With which they may be produced.

The means for applying pressure to the resistance medium is arranged sothat the containers are not subjected to lateral strains. This is ofimportance, as otherwise frequent renewals might be required. The

resistance elements are connected in series and by the equalizer bar,equalized pressure is delivered thereto. I have, in my accompanyingdrawing, shown only a pair of resistance elements or units, but thesecan be multiplied as occasion requires, the means for applying pressurebeing modified to meet the requirements.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in details in a simpleembodiment. I am aware, however, that the same is capable ofconsiderable variations without departing from my invention and I desireto be understood as claiming the same specifically in the formillustrated, as well as broadly within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric current controller, the combination with a supportingplate, of a pair of resistance elements comprising piles or columns ofresistance medium disks and tubular containers therefor; a control levermounted on the outer side of said plate and electrically connected withthe line circuit; a starting plate arranged on the outer side of saidsupporting plate to coact with said control lever; means for supportingsaid resistance element containers on the inner side of said supportingplate comprising a yoke-like supporting bar for their outer ends andbrackets having studs projecting into their inner ends, said bracketsbeing supported by bolts arranged through said supporting plate, thebolt for the bracket of cuit; an equalizer bar having its endsprojecting into said containers to engage the disks therein, saidequalizer bar being adapted to serve as an electrical connection for theresistance elements; a link eccentrically connected to said lever; apivot member for said bar through which said link is slidably arranged;and a pressure spring arranged on the outer end of said link to engagethe said pivot member.

2. In an' electric current controller, the combination with a supportingplate, of a pair of resistance elements comprising piles or columns ofresistance medium disks and tubular containers therefor; a control levermounted on the outer side of said plate and electrically connected withthe line circuit; a starting plate arranged on the outer side of saidsupporting plate to coact with said control lever; means for supportingsaid resistance element containers on the inner side of said supportingplate comprising a yoke-like supporting bar for their outer ends andbrackets having studs projecting int-0' their inner ends, said bracketsbeing supported by bolts arranged through said supporting plate, thebolt for the bracket of the first resistance element being adapted toprojecting into said containers toengage the disks therein, saidequalizer bar being adapted to serve as an electrical connection for theresistance elements; and connections for said equalizer bar to saidlever.

3. In an electric current controller, the combination With'a supportingplate, of a pair of resistance elements comprising pilesor columns ofresistance medium disks and tubularcontainers therefor; a controllevermounted on the outer side of said plate and electrically connected wit-hthe line circuit; a starting plate arranged on the outer side of saidsupporting plate to coact with said control lever; means for supportingsaid resistance element containers on the inner side of said supportingplate; a magnet for said lever electrically connected to said startingplateand the field shunt'circuit; an equal-- izer bar having its endsprojecting into said containers to engage the disks therein, saidequalizer bar being adapted to serve as. an electrical connection forthe resistance ele ments; a link eccentrically connected to said lever;a pivot member for said bar through which said link is slidablyarranged; and a pressure spring arranged on the outer end ofsaid' linkto engage the said pivot member.

4. In an electric current controller, the

combination with a supporting plate,-of a pair [of resistance element-scomprising piles or columns of resistance medium dlsksand tubularcontainers therefor; a control lever "saidacontainers to engage thedisks therein, 1

said'equalizer bar being adapted to serve as an electrical connectionfor the resistance elements; and connections for said equalizer bar tosaid lever.

5. In an electric current controller, the combination with a supportingplate, of a pair of resistance elements comprising piles or; columns ofresistance medium disks and tubular'containers therefor; a control levermounted on the outer side of said plate and electrically connected withthe line circuit; a starting plate arranged on the outerside of saidsupporting plate to coact with said control lever; means for rigidlysupporting said resistance element containers on the inner side of saidsupporting plate comprising a yoke-like supporting bar for "their outerends and brackets having studs projecting into their inner. ends, saidbrackets being supported by bolts arranged through said supportingplate, the bolt for the bracket of the first resistance element beingadapted to serve as a securing member for saidstarting plate and to formelectrical connections therefor to the bracket, the bolt for the otherbracket being connected to the controlled circuit and adapted to serveas a contact member for'said control lever; means for compressing saidresistance medium co-mprising an equalizer bar, a link eccentricallyconnected to said lever, a pivot member for said bar through which saidlink is slidably arranged, and a pressure spring arranged on theouterend of said link to engage the said pivot member.

6. In an electric current. controller, the combination with a supportingplate, of a pair of resistance elements comprising piles or columns ofresistance medium disks and tubular containers therefor; a control levermounted on the outer side of said plate and electrically connected withthe line circuit; a starting plate arranged on the outer side of saidsupporting plate to coact with said control lever; means for rigidlysupporting said resistance element containers on the innor side of saidsupporting plate comprising a yoke-like supporting bar for their outerends and brackets having studs project-ing into their inner ends, saidbrackets being supported by bolts arranged through saidsupporting'plate,the bolt for the bracket of the first resistanceelement being adapted to serve as a securing member for said startingplate and to form an electrical connection therefor to the bracket, thebolt for the other bracket being connected to the controlled circnit andadapted to serve as a contact me nber for said control lever; means forcom pressing said resistance medium comprising an equalizer bar, andconnections for ;said bar to said lever. g

7. In an electric current controller, the

combinationwith a supporting plate, of a pair of resistance elementscomprising piles or columns of resistance medium disks and tubularcontainers therefor; a control lever mounted on the outer side of saidplate and electrically connected with the linec'ircuit; a starting platearranged on the outer side of said supporting plate to coact with saidcontrol lejver; means for rigidly supporting said resistanceelementcontainers on the inner side of said supporting plate comprisinga yoke-like supporting bar for the outer ends and brackets having studsprojecting into their inner ends, said brackets being supported by boltsarranged through said supporting plate, the bolt for the bracket of thefirst resistance element being adapted to serve as a'securing member forsaid starting plate and to form an electrical connection therefor to thebracket, the bolt for the other bracket being connected to thecontrolled circuit and adapted to serve as a contact member for saidcontrol lever; a magnet for said lever electrically connected to saidstarting plate and the shunt field circuit; means for compressing saidresistance medium comprising an equalizer bar, and connections for saidbar to said lever.

8. In an electric current controller, the combination with a supportingplate, of a pair of resistance elements comprising piles or columns ofresistance medium disksand tubular porcelain containers therefor; acontrol lever mounted on the outer side of said plate and electricallyconnected with the line circuit; a starting plate arranged on the outerside of said supporting plate to coact with said control lever;means forrigidly supporting said resistance element containers on the inner sideof said sup porting plate; a magnet for said lever electricallyconnected to said starting plate and the shunt field circuit; means forcompressmg said resistance medium comprising an equalizer bar, andconnections for said bar to said lever. 1

9.- In an electric current controller, the combination with a supportingplate, of a pairof resistance elements comprising piles or columns ofresistance medium disks and tubular porcelain containers therefor; acontrol lever mounted on the outer side of said plate and electricallyconnected with the line circuit; a starting plate arranged on theouterside of said supporting plate to coact with said control lever; andmeans for rigidly' supporting said resistance element containers on theinner side of said supporting plate comprising a yoke-like supportingbar for the outer ends and brackets having studs projecting into theirinner ends, said brackets being supported by bolts arranged through saidsupporting plate, the bolt 'for the bracket of the first resistanceelement being adapted to serve as a securing member for said startingplate and to form an nected to the controlled circuit and adapted toserve as a contact member for said control lever.

10. In an electric current controller, the combination with a supportingplate, of a pair of resistance elements comprising piles or columns ofresistance medium disks and tubular porcelain containers therefor; acontrol lever mounted on the outer side of said plate and electricallyconnected with the line circuit; a starting plate arranged on the outerside of said supporting plate to coact with said control lever; meansfor rigidly supporting said resistance element containers on the innerside of said supporting plate comprising brackets having diskcontactmembers thereon, said brackets being supported by bolts arranged throughsaid supporting plate, the bolt for the bracket of the first resistanceelement being adapted to serve as a securing member for said startingplate and to form an electrical connection therefor to the bracket, thebolt for the other bracket being connected to the controlled circuit andadapted to serve as a contact member for said control lever;

means for compressing the resistance medium comprising an equalized bar;and connections for said bar to said lever.

11. In an electric current controller, the combination with a supportingplate, of a pair of resistance elements comprising piles or columns ofresistance medium disks and tubular porcelain containers therefor; acontrol lever mounted on the outer side of said plate and electricallyconnected with the line cicu'it; a starting plate arranged on the outerside of saidsupporting plate to coact with said control lever; means forrigidly supporting said resistance element containers on the inner sideof said supporting plate comprising brackets having disk contact membersthereon, said brackets being supported by bolts arranged through saidsupporting plate, the bolt for the bracket of thefirst resistanceelement being adapted to serve as a securing member for said startingplate and to form an electrical connection therefor'to the controlledcircuit and adapted to serve as a contact member for said control lever;and meansfor compressing the resistance medium.

12. In an electric current controller, the combination with a supportingplate, of a pair of resistance elements comprising piles or columns ofresistancemedium disks and tubular containers therefor; a control levermounted on the outer side of said plate and electrically connectedwiththe line circuit; a starting plate arranged on the outer side of saidsupporting plate to coactwith said control lever; means for rigidlysupporting said resistance element containers on the inplate andelectrically connected with the line circuit; a starting plate arrangedon the outer side of said supporting plate to coact with said controllever; means for rigidly supporting said resistance element containerson the-inner side. of said'supporting plate; and means for compressingthe resistance medium.

14. In an electric current controller, the combination of a pair ofresistance elements comprising piles or columns of resistance mediumdisks and supports therefor; and means for applying pressure to saidresistance medium disks comprising an equalizer bar having its endsprojecting into said containers to engage the disks therein; a lever; alink eccentrically connected to said lever; a pivot member for said barthrough which said link is slidably arranged; and a pressure springarranged on the outer end of said link to engage said pivot member.

15. In an electric current controller, the combination of a pair ofresistanceelements comprising piles or columns .of resistance mediumdisks and supports therefor; means for applying pressure to saidresistance medium disks comprising an equalizer bar, a

lever, a link eccentrically connected to said lever, a pivot member forsaid bar through which said link is slidably arranged, and a pressurespring arranged on the outer end of said link to engage said pivotmember.

16. In an electric current controller, the

' combination of a plurality of resistance elements connected in series,comprising piles or columns of resistance medium disks and supportstherefor; a control lever electrically connected with the line circuit;a starting plate arranged tocoact with said control lever electricallyconnected with the first of said'resistan'ce elements, the last element;being electrically connected to the controlled circuit; a controlledcircuit contact for said lever; a magnet for said lever electricallyconnected with said starting plate and with a field circuit; and meansactuatedthrough said control lever for applying equalized pressure tosaid resistance medium. l

' 17. In an electric current controller, the combination of apluralityof resistance elsmen-ts-connected in series, so that the current passesthrough them successively, coinprising piles or'colums of resistancemedium disks and supports therefor; a control lever electricallyconnected with the line circuit;

a starting plate arranged to coact with said control lever electricallyconnected with the first of said resistance elements, the last ele mentbeing electrically connected to the controlled circuit; a controlledcircuit contact for said lever; and means actuated through said controllever for applying equalized pressure to said resistance medium.

18. In an electric current controller, the combination with a supportingplate, of resistance elements comprising piles or columns of resistancemedium, disks and supports therefor; a control lever mounted on theouter side of said plate and electrically connected with the linecircuit; a starting plate arrangedpn the outer side of said supportingplate to coact with said control lever; means for supporting saidresistance element supports on the inner side of said supporting plate;and meansfor compressing the resistance medium, said resistance elementsbeing connected in series, the first being electrically connected tosaid starting plate and the last being electrically connected to thecontrolled circuit.

19. In an electric current'controller, the combination of a pair ofresistance elements comprising piles or columns of resistance disks andsupports therefor; means for applying pressure to said resistance mediumdisks comprising an equalizer bar, a control lever, a link connected tosaid lever, and a pivot member for said bar to which said link isconnected. I

20. In an electric current controller, the combination of a pair ofresistance elements connected in series so that the current passesthrough them successively, comprising piles or columns/of resistancemedium disks and supports therefor, a control lever electricallyconnected to the line circuit, a starting plate electrically connectedwith the first element, the last element being connected to thecontrolled-circuit, and means for applying equalized pressure to saidresistance element comprising an equalizer bar actuated by said controllever.

-21. In an electriccurrent controller, the combination of a pair ofresistance elements connected in series so that the current passesthrough them successively, comprising piles or columns of resistancemedium disks and supports therefor, a control lever electricallyconnected to the line circuit, a starting plate electrically connectedwith the first element,

the last element being connected to the con- 1 trolled circuit, acontrolled circuit contact for said lever, and means for applylngequalized pressure to said resistance medium disks actuated by saidcontrol lever.

22- In an electric current controller, the

fitting their inner ends; a yoke like supporting bar for their outerends; and means for applying pressure to said resistance medium diskscomprising a lever, an equalizer bar acting on said resistance mediumdisks, and a link connecting said bar to said lever.

28. In an electric current controller, the combination With thesupporting plate, of a pair of resistance medium elements comprisingresistance medium disks and tubular containers therefor; means forrigidly supporting said resistance element containers comprisingbrackets having studs projecting into their inner ends and means forapplying pressure to said resistance medium disks comprising anequalizer bar having contact ends projecting into the containers toengage the disks therein.

' 2-i. 1n an electric current controller, the combination with thesupporting plate, of a pair of resistance-elements comprising piles orcolumns of resistance medium disks and supports therefor; a controllever mounted on the outer side of said plate and electrically connectedto the line circuit; a starting plate arranged on the outer side of saidsupporting plate to coact With said control lever; means for supportingsaid resistance medium disk supports comprising brackets supported bybolts arranged through said starting plate, the belt for the bracket ofthe first resistance element being adapted to serve as a seeming memberfor said starting plate and to form an electrical connection to thebracket, the bolt for the other bracket being connected to thecontrolled circuit and adapted to serve as a contact member for thecontrol lever; and mains actuated by said lever for applying pressure tosaid resistance medium disks.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two witnesses.

GEORGE G. THOMPSON.

